Bone Fixation Plate with Angled Anchor Seat

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bone fixation assemblies lack the ability to provide an increased angle of inclination to one side while maintaining a low profile and high stability, which is necessary for specific anatomical situations such as fractures of the hand or shoulder.

Innovation Solution

A bone fixation assembly with a seat for the bone anchor that allows up to 20° inclination relative to the vertical axis, providing a total range of motion of at least 40°, and features conical or inclined threaded holes to enable increased angulation without increasing the plate thickness, along with a locking element for enhanced stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the bone anchor is allowed to pivot at a large angle to one side, then the angle of inclination is improved, but the profile thickness increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveangle of inclinationVSAvoidprofile thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The hole in the plate is divided into multiple functional zones: a first zone with a first angle range and a second zone with a second angle range. This segmentation allows different angular orientations to be accommodated within the same hole structure, enabling large inclination angles without increasing plate thickness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hole is designed with asymmetric angular characteristics where the first angle range differs from the second angle range. This asymmetric design allows the bone anchor to achieve greater inclination angles in specific directions while maintaining a compact plate profile thickness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Adaptability or versatility

If the bone anchor is allowed to pivot at a large angle to one side, then the angle of inclination is improved, but the stability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveangle of inclinationVSAvoidangular stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The plate-hole-bone anchor system is designed as a dynamic assembly that allows controlled pivoting within defined angular ranges. The locking element can be positioned to secure the bone anchor at specific angular positions, providing stability while maintaining the capability for angular adjustment during surgery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the angular parameters of the bone anchor relative to the plate through the multi-zoned hole design. By allowing the bone anchor to pivot within specific angular ranges defined by the different zones, the system achieves both adaptability for various angles and stability through controlled positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the plate thickness is increased to provide greater angular range, then the angle of inclination is improved, but the profile becomes thicker

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveangular rangeVSAvoidplate thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of increasing plate thickness, the hole is segmented into multiple angular zones that accommodate different inclination angles. This allows a thin plate to provide a wide angular range by organizing the pivot capability spatially within the hole structure rather than increasing material thickness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The solution moves from a single-dimension approach (increasing plate thickness) to a multi-dimension approach by creating different angular zones within the hole. This allows the plate to achieve greater angular range through spatial arrangement rather than increased thickness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3572020B1Bone fixation assembly with enlarged angle of inclination for a bone anchor to a favored side
Publication Date: 2022.04.13 BIEDERMANN TECH GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3572020B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3572020B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3572020B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

A plate member assembly is provided for use in orthopaedic or trauma surgery. The plate member assembly includes a plate member (200) having a top side (201a) and a bottom side (201b) with at least one passage (202) extending therethrough. The at least one passage (202) includes a first bore (202a) with a first end open towards the top side (201a), a seat portion (202c) configured to receive the head (7) of the bone anchor, and a second bore (202b) open towards the bottom side (201b). The first bore (201a) comprises a first central axis (C1) and the seat portion (202b) comprises a second central axis (C3). The anchor can be angled within the seat portion (202c) relative to the second central axis (C3). Recesses (230, 232) are provided at the first bore (202a) and second bore (202b) to permit the bone anchor (6) to be further angled in a favored direction relative to the second central axis (C3).